EP0054008A1 - Combination of a road transport vehicle and a removable rack for carrying sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

Large panels or panes of plate glass (L) are transported on a semi-trailer and supported on a trestle. The latter is so designed that its base slides into a channel formed in the chassis of the semi-trailer. Each side of the trestle consists of a number of uprights pivoted to the base and to a common top longitudinal member. When carrying panels etc., the trestle is locked by insertion of a number of horizontal frames. When required to carry a load other than panels the horizontal frames are removed and the trestles folded into the channel.

Description

The present invention relates to a group comprising a road transport vehicle and a _{ch e} - valet plate holder distinct from the vehicle, in which the vehicle is provided with a channel for receiving the bridge which channel is delimited by lateral edges. and open at the rear end of the vehicle, for loading and unloading the easel, and in which the easel essentially comprises an elongated base frame, a series of transverse ordinates which rise on the base frame and which have sides converging upwards to define on the two flanks of the bridge respective inclined faces for supporting the plates, and a made beam which connects the vertices of the ordinates.

Groups of this kind have the disadvantage of using a vehicle specially designed for the transport of easels and unusable for other jobs. Among other things, the easels used to transport glass plates and other fragile materials on trucks and other vehicles with a receiving channel have the disadvantage of occupying, when they do not transport plates, all the space they occupy on the vehicle during the transport of the plates. When the vehicle makes a return journey after having deposited its load, the presence of the easel largely prohibits loading on the vehicle of other goods to benefit from the return journey.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a group of the type mentioned at the start, characterized in that, in the vehicle, each lateral edge of the channel has, in its upper part, a lowered longitudinal zone, directed towards inside the canal, these lowered areas serving as support for the ends of removable transverse planks covering the canal, and by the fact that, in the easel, the ordinates are articulated both to the base frame and to the made beam along respective transverse axes, so as to allow the folding of the ordinates themselves between an upright service arrangement and an arrangement folded down substantially horizontally on the base frame, being provided with retaining means for maintaining the ordinates in the upright position and the easel, with the ordinates in the folded position, being capable of being received. in the vehicle channel under the roof boards.

With this solution, a vehicle with a channel for loading a plate rack can be transformed into a vehicle with a tray, formed by the boards, for transporting various goods. In this transformed condition, the vehicle can transport the easel folded and enclosed in the channel covered by the boards.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une semi-remorque,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un chevalet repliable pour le transport de plaques pouvant être associé à la semi-remorque de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une coupe partielle effectuée dans le plan vertical longitudinal indiqué par la ligne III-III de la figure 1 , qui illustre une suspension pneumatique associée à une roue,
• la figure 4 est une demi-coupe effectuée dans le plan vertical transversal indiqué par la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1,

The invention will be more clearly understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings, which illustrate, without implying a limitation, a preferred embodiment and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a semi-trailer,
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a folding easel for transporting plates which can be associated with the semi-trailer of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a partial section taken in the longitudinal vertical plane indicated by line III-III of FIG. 1, which illustrates an air suspension associated with a wheel,
• FIG. 4 is a half-section made in the transverse vertical plane indicated by the line IV-IV of FIG. 1,

Figures 5 to 8 are schematic elevational views of the group which illustrate the loading sequence of the bridge of FIG. 2 on the semi-trailer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, on a larger scale and partly cut away of the detail enclosed in the circle IX of FIG. 2,

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view on a larger scale of the articulation and locking system of an end ordinate of the easel,

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary elevation views on a larger scale and partly cut away of the zones contained in the respective circles XI and XII of FIG. 2,

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the easel during folding, and

Figure 14 is a similar elevational view of the fully folded bridge.

Referring to FIG. 1, a semi-trailer indicated as a whole by 10, comprises a load channel 12 delimited by a lower load plane 14 and by lateral flanges 16.

The semi-trailer 10 is due. type with three axes, the posterior axis of which is self-directing. Non-steered wheels are indicated by 18 and self-steering wheels by 20. The three pairs of wheels 18, 18 and 20 are connected by rigid axles.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the axle and the suspensions of one of the pairs of non-steerable wheels 18 have been illustrated, it being understood that the axle and the suspensions of the steerable wheels 20 are of the same kind, apart from the mechanism direction (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the wheels 18 are mounted to rotate at the respective ends of a rigid axle 22 which is located under the load plane 14.

In the region of each wheel 18, the rigid axle 22 is fixed to a longitudinal oscillating arm 24. At its anterior end, relative to the direction of travel, each arm oscillating 24 is articulated, as indicated at 26, to a chassis of the semi-trailer which supports the load plane 14 and its edges 16. Between the other end of the oscillating arm 24 and this chassis is interposed a hollow body 28 of an air suspension. The bodies 28 of the suspensions of all the wheels can be supplied from compressed air tanks 30 (FIG. 1) by means of a control valve 32. Thanks to the presence of the adjustable pneumatic suspensions, the channel 12 and in particular its load plane 14 can be lowered from a level corresponding to normal operation to a predetermined level in which the load plane 14 is located slightly above the axes of the wheels 18 and 20.

In the channel 12 can be loaded a folding plate easel which, in Figure 2 is designated as a whole by 34 and is shown in the deployed state of service for the transport of plates. The easel 34 consists essentially of metal sections connected in the manner which will be described later. In the deployed state of FIG. 2, the easel 34 has in cross section a trapezoidal shape suitable for defining two inclined support and fixing faces for plates L, for example glass plates (FIGS. 5 to 8).

The easel comprises inter alia a base frame 35, the main elements of which are a robust box-shaped center beam 36 and cross-members 38 which protrude on each side of the beam 36 and whose projecting ends are connected by bars 40 which constitute the longitudinal side edges of the base frame 35.

The protrusions of the crosspieces 14 carry inclined bars 42 for supporting the lower edges of the plates to be transported.

The easel 34 shown comprises, towards an anterior end relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. hi _cùl e, a pair of retractable support legs 44 whose upper ends are wedged on a rotary transverse axis 46 to allow oscillation between a vertical working position and, as in Figure 2, and a folded position rear horizontal. The legs 44 are returned to the vertical working position by a common spring 48 which acts on a crank arm 50 fixed on the axis 46.

The rear end 36a of the longitudinal beam 36 carries a crosspiece 52 with a pair of telescopically retractable legs 54,

Likewise, at the front end of the easel 34, the beam 36 carries a crosspiece 56 located further forward of the legs 44 and at the ends of which are rotatably mounted side wheels 58 with transverse axis whose function will be explained later.

At both ends of the bridge 34 are rings 60 for lifting aid or for loading and unloading from _vehicles if- ferent from that shown in Figure 1.

Referring again to Figure 1, in the immediate vicinity of the rear end of the load plane 14, is a long roller 62 with a transverse axis intended to be attacked by the underside of the longitudinal beam 36 of the bridge 34 .

On the two flanges 16 of the channel 12 are guide rollers 64 with a vertical axis intended to be driven by the edges 42 of the base frame of the bridge 34, in order to keep the latter centered in the channel 12.

The two flanges 16 are provided with upper beds 66 which surmount the wheels 18 and 20. The beds 66 are formed by sheet metal structures in which wooden boards 68 are fitted.

An area of each flower bed 66 adjacent to the channel 14 has two consecutive lowered areas 70 and 71. The lowered areas 70 serve as support for the removable transvorsal wooden boards 72 which, with the longitudinal boards 63 are intended to constitute a large load surface for general goods when the channel 12 is not used to transport the easel 34 in the deployed state of FIG. 2.

The load plan can be fitted on its perimeter, at the outer limit of the vehicle, with folding load stop edges (not shown). There is also provision for covering the load (easel 34 or miscellaneous goods) with a removable tarpaulin that can be adjusted in height (not shown).

The still lowered zones 71 constitute tracks for the rolling of the wheels 58 (FIG. 2) of the structure 34. The arrangement is such that the wheels resting on the tracks 71 do not protrude above the level of the bearing zones 70 planks. Each track 71 has, at the rear end of the channel 12, a respective part 73 inclined as a ramp to facilitate the engagement of the wheels 58 and cause an initial lifting of the front part of the structure 34.

The load plane 14 of the channel 12: is delimited at the rear by an edge constituted by a robust cross member 74. At this rear end, the flanges 16 are provided with converging cheeks 76 to favor the centering of the structure 34 when insert the latter in the channel 12 in the manner which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to S.

In FIG. 5, the bridge rests on the ground by means of its foldable front legs 44 and its telescopic rear legs 54. To load the bridge 34 into the channel 12, the semi-trailer 10 moves back. The air suspensions have been unloaded so that the load plane 14 is at the minimum level. At this level, the roller 62 of the plane 14 is at a level lower than that of the underside of the base frame 35 of the easel 34. In this condition, the tracks 70 flanges 16 are at a level slightly lower than that of the wheels 58.

With the further retreat of the semi-trailer 10, the rear part of the channel 12 frames the front part of the bridge 34 (FIG. 6). Under these conditions, the front parts of the longitudinal members 36 surmount the roller 62 and the wheels 58 slightly overcome the tracks 71, or else have risen, with all the front part of the bridge 34, thanks to the rise of the wheels 58 along the ramps 76.

At least one of the flanges 16 is provided with a stop block 78 which constitutes an obstacle towards the rear end of the corresponding track 71. When the semi-trailer 10 is moved back by an amount such that the block 78 attacks the corresponding wheel 58, so that the recoil cannot continue, an operator removes the block 78 and, at the same time, operates the valve. control 32 by "inflating" the air suspensions and by lifting a certain amount the front part of the trestle 34. At this point, the front legs 44 are raised from the ground, while still being in the vertical working position, which they are recalled by the spring 48 (Figure 2).

The decline in the semi-trailer 10 can then continue. As indicated in FIG. 6, the rear edge 74 of the load plane 14 attacks the legs 44 and causes them to fold back, against the force of their return spring 48, until they are brought to a horizontal position in which they are retracted above the level of the underside of the base frame 35.

The retraction of the semi-trailer 10 then continues until the entire bridge 34 is threaded into the channel 12, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The loading being carried out, the only part of the bridge 34 which protrudes beyond the the rear end of the channel 12 is the crosspiece 62, with its telescopic legs 54.

To complete the loading, the telescopic legs 54 are contracted after a further lifting of the rear part of the vehicle has been carried out by means of the valve 52, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The bridge 34 is then blocked in the channel 12, using means not shown, the stop block 78 is replaced and, finally, the suspensions are deflated by acting on the control valve 22 until bring the load plan 14 and the entire channel 12 to the normal level of vehicle operation.

The unloading operation occurs with a reverse sequence to that described above. It should be noted that, thanks to the presence of the stop block 78, when the semi-trailer 10 is released from the structure 34 by an amount such that one of the wheels 58 strikes the block 78, the legs 44 which are already protruding beyond the edge 74 of the load plane 14 have already been brought back to the vertical working position by the return spring 48 (FIG. 2).

At this point, the operator must remove the block 78 and, at the same time, operate the control valve 32 so as to obtain the lowering of the load plane 14 to the minimum level and support the bridge 34 on its four legs. It is only under these conditions that the advancement of the semi-trailer 10 can continue until the bridge 34 is finally abandoned.

Thanks to the arrangement described above, since the load plane 14 does not descend below the axes of the rear wheels 18, 20, it is possible to provide these wheels with rigid axles and, in particular, in the case of a very long semi-trailer, to equip the rear wheels 20 with a self-steering system with rigid axles.

This is an advantage since lowering the bottom of the channel to ground level would require the use of independent wheel suspensions, given q _uo the bottom of the channel should necessarily lower below the axes of the wheels. Suspensions with independent wheels have the disadvantage of giving the semi-trailer undesirable running instability. In addition, in long semi-trailers generally used for the transport in question, it is necessary to adopt rear self-steering wheels: Self-steering systems with independent wheels are expensive because their distribution is limited to a few specific applications, like the one considered.

Similarly, in the arrangement described above according to the invention, given that the lowering of the bottom 14 of the channel 12 is not excessive and, in the case of a semi-trailer, by lowering only its rear part, the need to use a tractor fitted with pneumatic suspensions which also allow the tractor to be lowered is avoided. Air suspension tractors are not normal production models and are therefore expensive. In addition, their air suspensions are difficult to find on the market when it is necessary to replace them.

We will now continue the description of the easel 34 with reference to Figure 3 and Figures 9 and following.

On the base frame of the easel 34 rises a series of ordinates all designated by 80, except the first ordinate in the series (on the left in FIG. 2), which is designated by 80a.

Each ordinate 80, 80a comprises a pair of uprights indicated respectively at 82 and 82a. These uprights converge upwards in an isosceles triangle configuration, so as to define, on the two sides of the bridge 34, respective bearing faces for the plates, in a known manner.

In each ordinate 80, 80a, the two uprights 82 and 82a are connected, at intervals, by crosspieces of stiffening 84.

Each of the ordinates 84 is articulated at the bottom on the beam 36 along a transverse axis materialized by a pin 86.

On the vertices or summits of the ordinates 80, a ridge beam 88 extends to which the ordinates 90 are similarly articulated along transverse axes materialized by pegs 90.

The base or the top of the ordinate 80a is provided with a socket 92. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the socket 92 has a conical hole 94 in which is engaged a conical pin 96 of the corresponding end of the beam of ridge 88.

Referring to FIG. 10, the additional end ordinate 80a is articulated at the bottom to the corresponding end of the beam 36, in a similar manner to the ordinates 80, using a transverse pin 98.

On the beam 36, between the first ordinate 80a and the following ordinate 80, is fixed a pair of ears 100 whose holes are aligned in the transverse direction of the bridge.

At the ordinate 80a is articulated at 102 an arrow 104 whose lower end has a transverse eye 106. When the ordinate 80a is erected, as in FIG. 1, the eye 106 is located between the ears 100. In the ears 100 and in the eye 106 is threaded a removable pin 108 thanks to which the arrow 104 provides for blocking the ordinate 80a in the erected state.

Referring again to FIG. 2, behind the cross-member 56 and on the beam 36 is mounted a winch 110. The latter has been shown to be nanually controlled but it could also advantageously be electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, etc. controlled.

A metal cord 112 wound on the winch drum 110 is returned on a pulley 114 carried by the uprights 82a of the ordinate 80a towards their top and is anchored to the ordinate 80 adjacent to a point 116 located at a level also close to the top of this ordinate.

With the first ordinate 80a blocked in the upright position and with the winch drum 110 blocked by an appropriate system, for example of the roller type, the rope 112 in tension, in the arrangement of FIG. 2, keeps all the other ordinates 80 upright. and maintains the spindle 96 of the made beam 88 engaged in the socket 92.

To stiffen the easel 34 in the upright service arrangement of FIG. 2, the uprights 80, 80a of the consecutive ordinates are connected by small removable horizontal frames 118.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, each of these small frames 118 is provided, at each of its ends with a corresponding tongue 120. The tongues 120 are engaged from top to bottom in corresponding pockets 122 carried by the crosspieces 84 of the ordinates 80 and 80a.

Still for the purpose of stabilizing the cheetal 34 in the erected state of FIG. 2, each upright 82 of the ordinates 80 is provided (FIG. 12), below its axis 86 of articulation on the beam 36, a respective conical pin 124, engaged horizontally in a corresponding conical sleeve 126 fixed to a sill 128 which is part of the base frame and runs along the side of the central beam 36. The engagement of pins 124 in the sockets 126 prevents in particular any lateral movements of the uprights 80 due to sliding of their axes 86.

The subsequent stabilization of the bridge 34 in the erected state of FIG. 2 is obtained by means of bracing rods 130, 132 constituted by metal cords or the like.

The tie rods 130 are detachably anchored to the beam 36 as well as, at the top, to the respective ordinates 80 (the second and the penultimate starting from the _che gau- in Figure ^2). The same tie rods 130 are fitted with screw tensioners 134.

Can be passed the bridge 34 of the upright _provision service of Figure 2 to a slaughtered provision or folded to its pile in channel ₁ 2 of the vehicle 10 of Figure 1.

To carry out this operation, the small chassis 118 are removed by releasing their tongues 120 from the pockets 122 and then the tie rods 130 (those on the left in FIG. 2) are released. By releasing the winch drum 110, which has an appropriate reduction gear, the rope 112 is unwound from the drum and the ordinates 80 fall or swing to the right, as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 13. At the start of this movement, the pins 96 and 120 emerge from the respective sockets 92 and 126.

At the end of the unwinding of the rope 113, the arrangement of FIG. 14 is reached with respect to the ordinates 80, while the first ordinate 80a is still erected, as in FIG. 13.

As can be observed, the movements of the ordinates 80 and of the made beam 88 occur as the movements of three consecutive sides of an articulated parallelogram, the fourth side of which is constituted by the transverse beam 36 of the base frame .

Finally, the pin 108 is extracted, thereby unlocking the ordinate 80a and the latter is folded or tilted by hand, finally reaching the arrangement of FIG. 14.

As can be seen in FIG. 14, the ordinates 80 and 80a occupy a “flattened” arrangement substantially horizontally on the beam 36 of the base frame 35. In this position, the ordinates are embedded in one another , the ordinate 80 located at the rear end of the easel 34 (on the right in the figures 13 and 14), in the state of FIG. 14, rests on the terminal part or "tail" 36a of the beam 36, with the interposition of a block or cushion 136 (also visible in FIG. 2).

To set up the easel again, execute a sequence of operations opposite to that described above.

The loading of the bridge 34, in the folded state, into the channel 12 of the vehicle 10, occurs with exactly the same sequence shown in Figures 5 to 8 and the unloading of the bridge 34 of the vehicle 10 occurs with the reverse sequence.

The bridge 34 can also be folded up and deployed while it is on the vehicle 10 in the state of FIG. 8.

When the folded-up easel 34 is on the vehicle 10, none of its parts protrudes above the level of the lowered areas 70 Under these conditions, the entire channel 12 can be covered with boards 72 supported on the lowered areas 70.

Claims (13)

1 - Group comprising a road vehicle (10) for transport and an easel (34) plate holder separate from the vehicle (10), in which the vehicle (10) is provided with a channel (12) for receiving the easel (34) ), which channel (12) is delimited by lateral flanges (16) and open at the rear end of the vehicle (10) for loading and unloading the easel (34), and in which the easel (34) essentially comprises a châs- _s i _s base ₍₃₅₎ elongated, a series of transverse ordinates (80, 80a), which rise from the base frame (35) and which have sides (82; 82a) converging towards the high to define on the two flanks of the easel (24) respective inclined faces for supporting the plates (L), and a ridge beam (88) which connects the vertices of the ordinates (80, 80a), characterized in that , in the vehicle (10), each lateral edge (16) of the channel (12) has, in its upper part, a lowered longitudinal zone (70) directed inwards channel (12),. these lowered areas (70) serving as supports for the ends of transverse boards (72) removable covering the channel (12) and by the fact that, in the easel (34), the ordinates ( 80, 80a) are articulated both on the base frame (35) and on the made beam (88) along respective transverse axes, so as to allow the folding of the ordinates (80, 80a) between an upright service arrangement and an arrangement which is brought down substantially horizontally on the base frame (35), being provided with retaining means for holding the ordinates (80, 80a) in the upright position and the easel (34) with the ordinates (80 , 80a) in the folded position, being capable of being received in the channel (12) of the vehicle (10) under the covering boards (72). 2 - Group according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the easel (34), the retaining means comprise, at one end of the easel, an additional ordinate (80a) articulated down along a transverse axis (98) on the base frame (35), which can be fixed in the upright position independently of the other ordinates (80) and at the top of which can be coupled a corresponding end of the made beam (88). 3 - Group according to claim 2, characterized in that the top of the additional ordinate (80a) of the easel (34) carries a conical sleeve (92) and the corresponding end of the ridge beam (88) has a conical pin (96) which, when the upright position of the bridge (34) is achieved, can be engaged horizontally in the sleeve (92). 4 - Group according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the additional ordinate (80a) of the easel (34) is connected, at an intermediate point (102) of its height, an upper end of an arrow ( 104) whose lower end is connected to the base frame (35) when this ordinate is in the upright position, one of these connections being produced by means of a removable pin (108) and the other being a articulated link (102). 5 - Group according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the base frame (35) of the bridge (34) carries, in the region of the ordinate additional (80a), a rope winch ( 110) for ordinate operation (80) articulated to the ridge beam (88), and the rope (112) of the winch is returned by a pulley (114) supported towards the top of the additional ordinate (80a) and is anchored to the ordinate (80) adjacent to a point (116) located at a level also close to the top of this ordinate (80). 6 - Group according to any of the claims previous cations, characterized in that, in the easel (34) the ordinates (80) articulated to the made beam (38) are provided, below their axes (86) of articulation to the base frame (35 ), of respective conical pins (120) which, when the upright position is achieved, the bridge can be engaged horizontally in corresponding conical bushings (126) carried by the base frame (25). 7 - Group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ordinates (80, 80a) consecutive of the easel (34), in their upright position, are connected by small removable horizontal chassis (118) stiffening, which their ends have tabs (120) which can be engaged from top to bottom in corresponding pockets (122) carried by the ordinates (80, 80a). 8 - Group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some ordinates (80) are braced, in the upright arrangement of the bridge, by tie rods (130, 132) (metal cables or the like) detachably anchored to the base frame (35) and / or to the ordinates themselves. 9 - Group according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the vehicle (10), the load channel (12) can be lowered, at least at its rear end, by an amount suitable for bringing the load plane (14) at a predetermined level not lower than that of the axes of the wheels, by the fact that the bridge (34) is provided with retractable support legs (47, 54) which maintain a lower face at a level higher than the above predetermined level and by the fact that an anterior part of the bridge (34), intended to engage first in the channel (12) protrudes with respect to the anterior retractable legs (44) closest to this anterior part and carries rolling means (58) capable of attacking corresponding rolling means (70) associated with the open end of the channel (12) when the load plane (14) is lowered to the above predetermined level. 1C - Group according to claim 1 or 9, characterized in that the flanges (16) of the channel (12) have lowered zones (71) which constitute rolling tracks and the front part of the bridge (34) is provided with wheels (58) able to roll on these tracks (70). 11 - Group according to claim 10, characterized in that the raceways (70) have, at the rear end of the channel (12), respective ascending ramps (72) which can be attacked by the wheels (58) to lift the front part of the bridge (34) and its front retractable legs (44) under the effect of the vehicle backing up (10). ₁ 2 - Group according to claim 9, characterized in that the above anterior retractable legs (44) are articulated to the easel (34) so as to be able to pass from a vertical working position to a retracted position relative to the above face lower of the bridge (34), in which retracted position the legs (44) are directed towards the rear with respect to the anterior end part of the structure and, by the fact that a rear edge (74) of the channel ( 12) is capable of attacking in thrust the front legs (44), following a retraction of the vehicle (10) and of causing them to rotate in the retracted position when the channel (12) and the front part ( ₅ 2 ) of the load-bearing structure (34) introduced into the channel have been partially raised by means of the adjustable suspensions of the vehicle. 13 - Group according to claim 12, characterized in that the articulated front legs (44) are returned to the vertical position by elastic means (48).

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